INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Katie Hirschboeck, Geography & Regional Development / Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research
Office: 208 West Stadium Phone:
621-6466 Email:
katie@ltrr.arizona.edu Office hours: TBA
CLASS MEETINGS: alternate Mondays 1:00
-2:50 pm CLASS is
held in HARVILL 452
Class will meet week on Mondays from 1:00 – 2:50 pm according to the posted schedule. Final class meetings, TBA, will be scheduled near the end of the semester for student presentations and demonstrations.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This 1-unit course is designed to introduce graduate students to pedagogical
theory, skills, practice and technological tools that can be implemented in the
college classroom and other learning environments. Through short readings,
discussions, demonstrations and hands-on practice, we will address such issues
as: learning philosophies, cognitive skills, learning styles, course design
logistics, learner-centered activities, assessment tools, teaching technology,
classroom dynamics, and ethics. Students will design and critique their
own course materials and gain practical experience in presenting their material
in a collegial setting.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Students will be acquainted with different pedagogical philosophies and will have reflected on their own learning experience in the context of these philosophies. Students will be able to evaluate a variety of instructional approaches and select appropriate formats for different learning styles and environments. Students will gain experience in designing course materials and in trying out various teaching techniques. Students will appreciate the advantages and caveats associated with electronic learning platforms and will be introduced to an assortment of classroom learning technologies. Students will be able to design a course syllabus, identify course objectives and learning outcomes, select and develop appropriate learning activities and assessment tools, develop grading rubrics, and use evaluation methods to critique and document the effectiveness of their teaching. Students will become familiar with the specific policies and logistics of teaching a course at the University of Arizona, including guidelines and suggested strategies for dealing with classroom behavior, student crises, special needs, and violations of the Code of Academic Integrity.
Students are expected to attend every class, prepare required readings and assignments, and actively participate in class discussions and activities. Grades will be assigned on the basis of these expectations using a grading rubric that will be collaboratively designed by instructor and students as a class exercise.
Required texts: Science Teaching Reconsidered: A Handbook (1997) National Academy Press. Available as an “Open book” online at: http://books.nap.edu/books/0309054982/html/index.html , selected articles in the Journal of Geography in Higher Education, and additional short readings and websites. Readings will be available on the class webpage as linked webpages or password-protected PDF files. Students will need computer access to complete outside assignments.
OTHER COURSE GUIDELINES & POLICIES
Attendance: Required -- especially since we will meet only once a week or every other week. If unavoidable problems require you to miss a class, arrangements can be made to make-up one absence.
All holidays or special events observed by organized religions will be honored for those students who show affiliation with that particular religion, Absences pre-approved by the UA Dean of Students (or Dean's designee) will be honored.
Academic Integrity: A synopsis of the University of Arizona's Code of Academic Integrity can be found at: http://dos.web.arizona.edu/uapolicies/ You are responsible for knowing it, understanding it, and adhering to it.
NOTE: Information contained in the course syllabus, other than the grade and absence policies, may be subject to change with reasonable advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.
==> All the teaching demo PODCASTS are now available! (click here for directions)
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED SYLLABUS
COURSE OUTLINE (Tentative -- topics may be adjusted slightly as the semester progresses)
I. INTRODUCTION
Class #1 (Jan 23): Pedagogy – What is it?Class #2 (Jan 30): Cognitive skills & learning styles
II. PREPARING TO TEACH
Class #3 (Feb 13):Part A: Designing instructional objectives / learning outcomes
Part B: Planning a syllabus, content, & texts
Class # 4 (Feb 27): Developing learning activities <====== Also: Homework due Feb 27thClass #5 (Mar 20): Assessment tools & grading <====== Also: Homework due Mar 20th (a draft)
III. IN AND BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
: Homework due APRIL 3rd (and before in D2L)
Class #7 (Apr 17): Learning technologies – why, when & how to use them ====> Also: Homework due April 17
======> Class #8 (May 1): Teaching evaluations & teaching portfolios + Student Teaching Presentations (PART 1)
For directions and guidelines on preparing your teaching presentations: CLICK HERE <====
CLASS on May 1 will meet at the INTEGRATED LEARNING CENTER (ILC) rm 130 at 1:00 pm
Wed May 10th 11:00 am - 1:00 pm (Location TBD) Student Teaching Presentations (PART 2)
Class Finale & Party: Wed May 10 5:30 - 8:30 pm @ Katie Hirschboeck's